from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Able \A"ble\, a. [comp. {Abler}; superl. {Ablest}.] [OF. habile,
L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful,
fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. {Habile} and see {Habit}.]
1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]
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A many man, to ben an abbot able. --Chaucer.
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2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or
resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed
of qualifications rendering competent for some end;
competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman,
soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to
reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain;
able to play on a piano.
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3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong
mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever;
powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able
speech.
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No man wrote abler state papers. --Macaulay.
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4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
as, able to inherit or devise property.
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Note:
{Able for}, is Scotticism.
"Hardly able for such a march." --Robertson.
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Syn: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective;
capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
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